The charts below are direct quotes from Post-Vatican II Magisterial Documents
concerning the theme, Mary's Life, Presentation of Jesus. These teachings of the
Catholic Church may prove useful to include in talks, in homilies or for research. For the full title
and document data, click on the abbreviation code (for example, BYM leads you to the
document, Behold Your Mother). This will also lead you to the complete document on
this website or assist you in locating it elsewhere.

She presented him to the Lord in the temple, making the offering of the poor, she heard
Simeon
foretelling at the same time that her Son would be a sign of contradiction and that a sword would
pierce the mother's soul, that out of many hearts thoughts might be revealed. (cf. Lk 2:34-35)
57

[See also Mary's obedience "brought Jesus to the temple"] 137
"He went down with them ... and was obedient to them ... (Jesus) progressed steadily in wisdom
and age and grace before God and men." (Lk 2:51-52) 137

[Article 16 discusses Presentation as an event in salvation history with the aspect
"obedience of faith"]

A just and God-fearing man, called Simeon, appears at this beginning of Mary's "journey"
of faith. His words, suggested by the Holy Spirit (cf. Lk. 2:25-27), confirm the truth of the
Annunciation. 16

Simeon's words cast new light on the announcement which Mary had heard from the angel:
Jesus is the Savior, he is "a light for revelation" to mankind. ... Simeon's words seem like a
second Annunciation to Mary, for they tell her of the actual historical situation in which the Son is to
accomplish his mission, namely, in misunderstanding and sorrow. ... confirms her faith in the
accomplishment of the divine promises of salvation,... also reveals to her that she will have to
live her obedience of faith in suffering, at the side of the suffering Savior, and that her motherhood
will be mysterious and sorrowful. 16

When, acting in persona Christi, we
celebrate the sacrament of the one same sacrifice of which Christ is and remains the only priest
and victim, we must not forget this suffering of his Mother, in whom were fulfilled Simeon's
words in the Temple at Jerusalem: "A sword will pierce through your own soul also." (Lk 2:35)
They were spoken directly to Mary forty days after Jesus' birth. On Golgotha, beneath the cross,
these words were completely fulfilled. When on the cross Mary's Son revealed himself fully as
the "sign of contradiction," it was then that this immolation and mortal agony also reached her
maternal heart. 2

Like the Church, Mary too had to live her motherhood amid suffering: "This child is
set...for
a sign that is spoken against -- and a sword will pierce through your own soul also -- that
thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed." (Lk 2:34-35) The words which Simeon addresses
to Mary at the very beginning of the Saviour's earthly life sum up and prefigure the rejection of
Jesus, and with him of Mary, a rejection which will reach its culmination on Calvary.
103

529 The presentation of Jesus in the temple shows him to be the firstborn Son
who belongs to the Lord. (cf.. Lk 2:22-39; Ex 13:2, 12-13) With Simeon and Anna, all Israel
awaits its encounter with the Savior -- the name given to this event in the Byzantine
tradition. Jesus is recognized as the long-expected Messiah, the now takes its "place in the
family
of the patriarch," and acquires Israelitica dignitas (are made "worthy of the heritage of
Israel").

"light to the nations" and the "glory of Israel," but also "a sign that is spoken
against." The sword of sorrow predicted for Mary announces Christ's perfect and unique
oblation on the cross that will impart the salvation God had "prepared in the presence of
all peoples." [See also 583, 725]

The Presentation in the Temple not only expresses the joy of the Child's consecration and
the ecstasy of the aged Simeon; it also records the prophecy that Christ will be a "sign of
contradiction" for Israel and that a sword will pierce his mother's heart. (cf.
Lk 2:34-35)
20

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